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Description
Oral history interview of Mr. Rafael Donis-Lizardi. Interview conducted by Andrew Ortiz at the veteran’s home in Kissimmee, Florida on April 19, 2017.
Log
0:40 Biographical information; 1:40 Childhood in Puerto Rico; 2:10 Family in the Military; 2:36 Education before military; 2:52 Thoughts on Korean War at the time; 3:15 Being drafted from college; 4:15 Basic Training; 5:35 Graduation from Basic Training; 6:02 Reactions upon arrival in Korea; 6:25 Assignment with 65th Infantry in Korea; 6:50 Average day with personnel; 7:45 Reactions to China joining the war; 8:08 Operations in Korea; 9:02 Reactions to command being turned over to Col. DeGavre; 9:58 Medals earned in Korea; 10:52 National Guard Commendation Medal; 11:10 Assignment after Korea; 11:52 Reserves; 12:12 Assignment with National Guard; 13:00 Duty as Chief Warrant Officer; 13:20 Average day as Warrant Officer; 13:54 Length of Time with National Guard; 15:00 Last day in National Guard; 15:25 Readjustment to civilian life; 15:40 Plans after military service, college; 16:05 Congressional Gold Medal; 17:00 Reactions to Gold Medal; 17:25 Closing thoughts; 17:58 End of Interview.
Date of Birth
1930-05-02
Place of Birth
Caguas (P.R.)
Gender
Male
Race
White - Hispanic
Home State
NA
War or Conflict
Korean Conflict
Status
Veteran
Begin/End date of Service - 1st
1951-10-12
Type
Video; MovingImage
1972-09-26
Entrance into Service
Drafted
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Unit of Service
Company L; 65th Infantry Regiment; Active and National Guard
Location of Service
Korea
Highest Rank
Chief Warrant Officer 2; CW2
Prisoner of War
No
Service Related Injury
No
Battles
Unspecified
Medals
Korean Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Congressional Gold Medal; Governor's Veterans Service Award; Puerto Rico National Guard Commendation Medal
Achievements
See video for details.
Note
Also received Commendation Letter and Certificate of Merit. "I am a Puerto Rican that served in Korea with the 65th Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers. We paid the citizenship with blood, I do not feel like a hero, I just did what it was need it to be done. And I thank God and the prayers of my mother, I was able to returned; and because of my brothers in Christ that were not able to make it. Now I am a soldier of Christ praying and spreading the good news of salvation. God bless America." - The veteran. He was awarded Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze stars. Also received Commendation Letter from 65th Infantry Regiment, Certificate of Merit from 92 Infantry Brigade PRANG.
City of Birth
Caguas
Country of Birth
Puerto Rico
Interviewer
Ortiz, Andrew
Interview Date
4-19-2017
Location of Interview
Kissimmee, FL.
Subjects
Donis-Lizardi, Rafael; Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal Narratives; United States. Army
Collection Description
Contains logs, audio and video recordings of interviews with Central Florida's veterans as part of a history class project for the students at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The UCF Community Veterans History Project(CVHP) started in fall 2010. It collects, preserves, and makes accessible to the public the experiences of Central Florida's veterans so that future generations will better understand the realities of conflict. It is a collaborative endeavor supported by multiple departments and offices at UCF. The veterans' histories are archived and made digitally available through the UCF library and selected materials are contributed to the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.
Contributor Affiliation / Organization
RICHES; University of Central Florida
Contributors
Ortiz, Andrew
Length of Interview
19 Minutes
Publisher
Department of History, University of Central Florida
Type
video
Rights
All rights are held by the respective holding institution. This material is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. For permission to reproduce and/or for copyright information contact Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, (407) 823-2576. http://library.ucf.edu/about/departments/special-collections-university-archives/
Repository
University of Central Florida Libraries, Special Collections & University Archives
Contributing Project
UCF Community Veterans History Project
Document Type
Interview
Semester
Spring
Recommended Citation
Central Florida, RICHES of, "Donis-Lizardi, Rafael interview" (2017). Veterans Oral Histories. 532.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/veteransoralhistories/532